Earlier this October, my composition “Plume” premiered as part of a new dance work “Sextet” by the legendary Twyla Tharp at American Ballet Theatre. “Sextet” also features music by my old friend Colin Jacobsen and the band Café Tacvba.

“Plume” turned 20 years old this summer — I hope to write a little more about the occasion when time allows. For now, I just want to thank the intrepid quartet Brooklyn Rider for championing this little piece when it was just a multitrack viola moment in the middle of my debut album.

“Do you have the sheet music?”, Brooklyn Rider asked. At that point, I didn’t — I recorded it by ear from a handwritten sketch. I didn’t think, in those early days, that anyone would want to play it. It’s thanks to their nudging that it became well known and has been covered by many ensembles since.

As for Twyla Tharp — what can I say? I first saw her name in the titles of the film “White Nights” that I watched many times on VHS back in Moscow. This is an immense honor.

 

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